Holidaze at the Sonoma County Fair

Celebrate your favorite holiday at this year’s Sonoma County Fair with contests, special events, and costumes!

This year the Sonoma County Fair is celebrating a year’s worth of holidays in one 11-day fair, and you are invited to the party. The fun begins with Easter on August 3, and continues through August 12 & 13 with Fall holiday celebrations. Exhibitors and fairgoers of all ages are invited to make every day a holiday to remember.

August 3 – Easter – Put on your Bunny Ears. Kids of all ages will love coloring eggs and hunting for them as well. The highlight of the evening is a Sock Hop, with the Hot Rods Band playing music from the 50’s. This is the first day of horse racing, and race fans are invited to join the Hat Contest (with a division for Easter Bonnets).

August 4 – New Year’s Eve & Grandparents Day – Grandparents Day takes place on the first Friday of the Fair. Kids can bring their grandparents to enjoy a New Year’s Eve Countdown with a balloon drop. After dark, the Fair will have another take on a New Year’s Eve Countdown, ending with a “Light Stick Light Show” that will brighten your night.

August 5 & 6 – Winter Holidays – Put on your holiday hat and enjoy the Winter festivities. Fairgoers will be able to decorate Gingerbread Houses, Wreaths and trees. You won’t want to miss the Fruitcake Toss and Present Pile-Up.

August 7 – Earth Day – Fairgoers will be given an opportunity to learn how they can have a positive impact on the environment through entertainment and educational opportunities. Green Fest will take place all afternoon, to promote environmental values and companies producing Earth friendly and green-certified products. Kids and adults can even take part in a Nature Scavenger Hunt.

August 8 – Veterans Day & Independence Day – We pay tribute to Veterans with free admission for those in uniform on this day only, with valid military ID. The daily Fair parade will include color guards. Entertainment will be provided by “Guard Experience”, a group from the 40th Infantry Division Band from the California Army National Guard and the Air Force Band from Travis Air Force Base.

August 9 – Talk Like A Pirate Day – Fairgoers are invited to put on an eye patch, work on their pirate swagger and come “Talk Like A Pirate” at the Fair. Contests will include “Pirate Swagger” and “Look Like a Pirate” (costume contest), or test your endurance with a Tankard Lift contest.

August 10 – St. Patrick’s Day – Wear an article of green clothing so you don’t get pinched on St. Patrick’s Day. Then enjoy green beer around the grounds. Don’t forget to dress your kids up for the “Little Leprechaun Costume Contest”.

August 11 – Valentine’s Day – Love is in the Fair on August 11. Make something special for your loved one and celebrate the day with love songs from Court ’n Disaster. You and your true love are invited to get married (or renew your vows) on the Giant Ferris Wheel (Pre-fair sign-ups required).

August 12 – Halloween & Thanksgiving – Saturday is Thanksgiving, a day to think about others and to donate to the Thanksgiving Food Drive and get $4 off Fair admission. Make an Easy Bake pumpkin pie and grab a team to join the Mummy Wrap contest, or wear your best costume to go Trick or Treating.

August 13 – Halloween & Dia De Los Muertos & The Zombie Gathering – Trick or Treating continues, along with more festive contests. Dress up as a Zombie and mill around the fairgrounds at The Zombie Gathering. Face painting will be available if you forget your Zombie costume.